Step plate



July 3, 1928. 1,675,682

0. c. RITZ WOLL'ER STEP PLATE Filed Au -1+,- 1925 3311f [ii/er 3152/52 91 Patented July 3, 1928.

UNITED T OLIVER c, "RITZ' WOLLER, or cincaeo, rumors.

STEP PLATE.

Application filed August 17, 1925. Serial No. 50,724.

and which is adapted to be attached to the running board of a vehicle, and formed with tapering portions provided to take the force 1 of a blow and divert it into the resultant direction. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide a step plate with a scraper and reenforcing means on the scraper arranged to engage the edge of the running board.

Another object of the invention is to provide a step plate adapted to be slightly elevated from the running board of the vehicle, by downwardly extendingreenforcing 2 strips formed along its edges, and by reenforcing means surrounding the apertures provided to receive the attaching means.

In the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of theinvention:

Fig. 1 is a view showing a fragment of the running board of a vehicle with the step plate attached, a portion of which isbroken away, to disclose the engagement of the reenforcing member with the running board Fig. 2 is a fragmental sectional view taken through the step plate illustrating the means of attaching the reenforcing element to the scraper.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental bottom plan View of the step plate and running board, showing the reenforcing means in place.

Fig. 4 is a fragmental sectional view indicating a modified form of reenforcing means, formed integral with the scraper.

Fig. 5 is a modified form of the invention showing a kick plate formed integral with the step plate.

Fig 6 is a section taken on line 6--6 of Fig. 5.

A conventional running board 11 has a binding strip 12 secured to the outer edge of its tread and 'a strip 13 secured to its riser, for the purpose of shielding it and holding down a covering such as linoleum vice of the presentinvention is secured thereto by means of bolts 14 or the like.

The step plates are preferably formed of sheet metal by a stamping or similar process,

that usually covers running boards. The de- The tread 15 of the step plate is provided with downwardly projecting reenforcing strips 16 on its sides and back edges. The side strips extend substantially forward as far as the inner edge of the strip 12. The apertures provided for bolts 14 are also surrounded by reenforcing means or spacers 17 extending downwardly the same distance as the reenforcing strips 16, and resting on the running board proper, to sup ort and prevent the step plate from de ecting downwardly.

Downwardly extending and outwardly tapering risers 18 and 19 are formed integral with the tread and arranged to engage the strip 13. A flange 21 is formed integral with the risers 18 and 19 providing a scraper spaced from the edge of the running board and between said risers.

The openings 22 provided in the front or outer end of the tread having their outer edges forming a part of the scraper, are novided to permit the material scraped rom the foot, to drop therethrough. A member 23 having its ends 24 bent at right angles thereto is secured to the scraper to reenforce it by rivets or the like and engages with the strip 13 of the running board. A plurality of parallel elevations 25 are formed on the tread of the step plate to reenforce it and provide safety treads, making the'possibility of one slipping on it remote.

The modification indicated in Fig. 4 shows the scraper 21 having a ortion 26 pressed inwardly to form reen orcing means in tegral with the step plate and which likewise abuts against the strip 13 of the running board. It may be used in place of the reenforcing member 23, which is secured to the flange 21 by means of rivets.

The modification in Fig. 5 is similar to the preferred embodiment but has formed integral therewith a kick plate element 27 and has no reenforcing element connected thereto.

I do not intend to be limited to the particular details herein shown and described, except, as limited by the claim, as it will be obvious that the foregoing is merely an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

I claim: a

In a step plate adapted to be secured to the running board of a vehicle, a tread having an open portion adjacent its outer edge, a riser having two inclined ends engaging but may be cast of aluminum or other metal. the running board, a scraper extending be- '110 tween said ends in spaced relationship to the inclined end risers and into abutting engageadjacent edge of the running board, and. a ment with the adjacent edge of the running reinforcing means for said risers imdscraper board; e 1 portions comprising an elongated member In testimony whereof I aflix my signature 5 having its medial portion fixedly securedto at 10 South La Salle Street, Chicago, Illithe inner face of said scraper portion and nois. having ends bent inwardly adjacent to-the OLIVER C. RITZ WOLLER. 

